MIT and Stanford will teach Ford's automated cars how to dodge obstacles

It's not enough for Ford to build automated test cars; it also has to teach those cars how to handle the road. To that end, the automaker is partnering with MIT and Stanford on research projects that will help automated (and eventually, autonomous) vehicles avoid obstacles. MIT is investigating ways to predict the movements of both pedestrians and other drivers, letting a smart car find a clear path around any hazards. Stanford, meanwhile, is developing sensor technology that could peek around big rigs and other objects that block the view ahead. It may be a long while before either project bears fruit, but the work could lead to Ford cars that deal with many emergencies by themselves.